Meanwhile, Palestinian leaders Saturday welcomed Israeli offers to resume peace talks, but said any negotiations must come with efforts to stop violence and halt settlement building in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei also signaled Saturday that he was not opposed to a meeting with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, although none was immediately forthcoming, and confirmed that there were contacts between the two sides.

Asked about the possibility he would hold talks with Sharon, Qurei told reporters: "We are not against [it]." "We have not studied the issue of a meeting, but there are contacts with the Israelis," said Qurei. (Albawaba.com)